Built in Britain and better than ever – the Qashqai is being revised for 2010. Nissan’s mid-size crossover model will undergo an extensive update in the spring of 2010 to cement its position as the class-leading, pioneering alternative to the traditional hatchback.

Since its European launch in March 2007, the Qashqai has exceeded all sales ambitions, with the 500,000th customer delivery scheduled to take place later this month. This has helped the British manufacturing industry through the recession, as all Qashqais are built at Nissan’s Sunderland plant here in the UK.

The updates to Qashqai and Qashqai+2 reinforce its position as a stylish crossover which combines the dynamic driving characteristics of a sporty hatchback with the robust, solid virtues of a compact SUV.

Refreshed Frontal Aspect
The most notable visual change to the Qashqai is at the front, where a complete makeover has taken place. All new bonnet, front bumper, wings, grille and headlamps combine to give the Qashqai an air of premium sophistication, presence and quality. The new front-end design is shared with Qashqai+2.

At the rear, the overall shape of the lights remains unchanged, but they now include an aerodynamic feature to reduce drag. A more transparent lens design has been adopted, with the upper portion, housing the reversing lights and indicators, being clear, while the lower section with the brake and nighttime running lights, is red. Additionally, the brake and tail lights operate using 12 LEDs for maximum clarity.

Two New Exterior Colours
Two new exterior colours have been added: Magnetic Red and Mineral Grey. Both colours complement the philosophy of added sophistication that runs through the overall restyling.

Additionally, two new alloy wheel designs will be introduced. Both are five-spoke designs – one 16- one 17-inch in diameter – which both add to the Qashqai’s understated presence.

As well as the changes to the front of the Qashqai, a series of other modifications around the car have had the effect of improving its aerodynamic efficiency, with the coefficient of drag dropping from 0.34 to 0.33.

Interior Changes
Inside, the Qashqai features a new design to the main dials which give added clarity and legibility. A redesigned drive computer is positioned between the two dials. Its white LCD screen shows instantaneous and average fuel consumption, mileage, time, cruise control and speed limiter settings among others, providing the driver with an easy to understand interface.

Further improvements to the interior come in the shape of low-level lighting around the front footwells, giving a warmer ambience inside.

Additional oddment storage has been created for added convenience, with a new cubby at the base of the central cluster which is ideal for a mobile phone or portable audio player. Additionally on the two-wheel drive versions (where the ALL MODE selector isn’t fitted), there is a new space for parking tickets, keys and swipe cards conveniently located between the seats just behind the gear selector.

Improved Refinement
Life on board the Qashqai has been made even more comfortable thanks to improved protection against noise, vibration and harshness. This has been achieved by adding an all-new multi-layer insulation material around the front bulkhead, as well as the fitment of an ‘acoustic’ windscreen which reduces the transmission of noise.

Occupants will also notice a reduction in wind noise around the A-pillar, achieved by changing the window sealing.

Retuned Suspension
Qashqai customer research has shown that drivers love the blend of solidity and agility, but some small but significant changes have been made to the suspension tuning to further improve ride comfort and responsiveness.

New Pure Drive 129g/km Version
One of the most significant changes to the Qashqai range is the addition of a new Pure Drive variant. Wearing the badge reserved only for the Nissan models with the most environmentally efficient economy and emissions, this special Qashqai produces only 129g/km of CO2.

A weight reduction programme and the adoption of aerodynamic wheel covers, combined with the blanking of the fog lamp sockets, the fitment of low rolling resistance tyres and the lengthening of the final drive ratio all work to maximise the Qashqai Pure Drive’s efficiency. The measures are so effective that CO2 emissions from the 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine have been reduced from 137 to 129g/km. The Qashqai Visia Pure Drive is priced at £16,795.

UK Pricing
Ensuring the top quality Qashqai remains a top seller in the UK, prices remain highly competitive. Complete with its new styling and dynamic enhancements, the entry-level model costs £15,395, while ownership of a diesel powered Qashqai is available from £16,795.

What’s more, ESP is now fitted as standard across range adding to the Qashqai’s reassuring safety equipment. The specification of Acenta grade and above has now been enhanced with the inclusion of a standard Speed Limiter, while Tekna gains a Bose speaker system. All equipment upgrades apply to both Qashqai and Qashqai+2.

Simon Thomas, Nissan’s European Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing comments: “When Qashqai was launched in Europe in 2007, we were optimistic customers would recognise that it offered an alternative to the traditional hatchback or compact SUV. However, we had to increase production to meet demand and two-and-a-half years later, demand hasn’t relented. Qashqai has been key at reinforcing Nissan’s position as an innovator in the European market. The updates to Qashqai make it even more attractive and will continue to bring new customers to Nissan for the first time.”
Editor’s Note:

* Revised Qashqai and Qashqai+2 range on sale in the UK 1 March 2010
* Qashqai and Qashqai+2 UK pricing (VAT at 17.5%):

rade

Engine

Transmission

Qashqai price OTR (£)

Qashqai+2 price OTR (£)

Visia

1.6 petrol

2WD Man

15,395

16,695

Visia

2.0 petrol

2WD Man

16,945

18,245

Visia

2.0 petrol

2WD CVT

18,145

–

Visia

1.5 dCi

2WD Man

16,895

18,195

Visia

2.0 dCi

2WD Man

18,445

19,745

Visia Puredrive 129g

1.5 dCi

2WD Man

16,795

–

Acenta

1.6 petrol

2WD Man

16,995

18,695

Acenta

2.0 petrol

2WD Man

18,545

20,245

Acenta

2.0 petrol

2WD CVT

19,745

–

Acenta

1.5 dCi

2WD Man

18,495

20,195

Acenta

2.0 dCi

2WD Man

20,045

21,745

n-tec

1.6 petrol

2WD Man

18,395

19,495

n-tec

2.0 petrol

2WD Man

19,945

21,045

n-tec

2.0 petrol

2WD CVT

21,145

–

n-tec

1.5 dCi

2WD Man

19,895

20,995

n-tec

2.0 dCi

2WD Man

21,445

22,545

n-tec

2.0 petrol

4WD CVT

22,645

23,745

n-tec

2.0 dCi

4WD Man

22,945

24,045

n-tec

2.0 dCi

4WD Auto

24,145

25,245

n-tec

1.6 petrol

2WD Man

18,795

19,895

n-tec

2.0 petrol

2WD Man

20,345

21,445

n-tec

2.0 petrol

2WD CVT

21,545

–

n-tec

1.5 dCi

2WD Man

20,295

21,395

n-tec

2.0 dCi

2WD Man

21,845

22,945

n-tec

2.0 petrol

4WD CVT

23,045

24,145

n-tec

2.0 dCi

4WD Man

23,345

24,445

n-tec

2.0 dCi

4WD Auto

24,545

25,645

Tekna

1.6 petrol

2WD Man

19,995

21,095

Tekna

2.0 petrol

2WD Man

21,545

22,645

Tekna

2.0 petrol

2WD CVT

22,745

–

Tekna

1.5 dCi

2WD Man

21,495

22,595

Tekna

2.0 dCi

2WD Man

23,045

24,145

Tekna

2.0 petrol

4WD CVT

24,245

25,345

Tekna

2.0 dCi

4WD Man

24,545

25,645

Tekna

2.0 dCi

4WD Auto

25,745

26,845

Nissan in the UK

Nissan is the biggest new car producer in Britain

Over 26 per cent (1 in 4 cars) produced in 2008 came out of Sunderland Plant

Nissan Sunderland Plant has a workforce of 3,900

Micra, Note, Qashqai and Qashqai+2 are all produced at Sunderland Plant

1 in every 6 cars built in the UK last year was a Qashqai

UK is Nissan’s biggest market in Europe

Over 80 per cent of production is exported to 45 markets worldwide

NMUK has been named as the biggest UK car plant for the past 11 years, and the biggest exporter for the last 9 years

Sunderland Plant has just received a Queen’s Award for Export , the fourth received since the plant opened in 1986

The plant built its 5 millionth car in June 2008

Nissan’s European design centre is located in Paddington, London and employs around 50 people

Nissan’s European Technical Centre is based in Cranfield, Bedfordshire and employs around 750 people